Burnham to visit Kyiv on first foreign trip and reaffirm UK support for Ukraine
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is traveling to Kyiv for his first foreign visit to reaffirm the UK's support for Ukraine on its independence day. He plans to chair a meeting of the 'coalition of the willing' and emphasize that UK support remains steadfast despite Russian threats.
Why it matters
This visit signals the continuity of UK foreign policy regarding the war in Ukraine under the new administration.
Image source, Reuters Image caption, Andy Burnham (left) and Volodymyr Zelensky during a recent visit to Portsmouth
Andy Burnham will mark his first foreign visit as prime minister with a trip to Kyiv on Monday to reiterate the UK's support for Ukraine and honour the country's independence day.
The prime minister will chair his first meeting of the "coalition of the willing", set up by the UK and France under his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
He is also set to accept an award on behalf of the British people recognising the UK's support for Ukraine and to take part in independence day events.
Burnham will be reaffirming the UK's backing for Kyiv in the wake of escalating Russian strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks - including one on a shopping centre on Friday that killed at least 16 people.
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